*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

Kevin, Alyssa, Brian, and Rachel sat in the park. They didn’t plan on it, but just ran into each other while out walking. The four of them sat there and talked about everything that had happened the past week.

“So did anyone see Bridgett lately?” Rachel asked.

“No thank the Lord,” Alyssa replied. “But if I do see her she better watch what she says.”

“I hear ya,” Brian said.

“Loni and Nick said they saw her the other day at the beach in Clearwater,” Kevin stated. “They said it was a coincidence that she showed up like two seconds after Nick asked Lon to marry him.”

“She must’ve been stalking,” Rachel pointed out.

“They ignored her until she started making up some story about her and Nick having sex when they were dating,” Kevin replied. “It’s a good thing Lon didn’t believe her and said yes to Nick’s proposal.”

“Very good,” Rachel said. “Did you guys see Charisma lately? She’s very quiet and when ya mention Howie she changes the subject. If I didn’t know any better I’d think she had a thing for him.”

“She’s in love with Alex,” Brian reminded her. “I haven’t noticed her, but I’ve noticed Howie. He’s like off in his own little world.”

“And when Riz or Alex walk in the room he leaves,” Kevin added. “Makes ya wonder.”

“Very interesting,” Alyssa said. “I wonder if Lil and Alex know that their significant others have eyes for each other.”

“And you’re not going to say anything either,” Kevin said kissing her. “It’s not our place to tell.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Alyssa assured him. “Besides I like a good mystery.”

“What about Toni and Justin?” Rachel questioned. “And Lance and Storm? I haven’t seen them, since the party.”

“JC said something about them going to some island for vacation,” Kevin said. “They’ll all probably come back engaged.” They laughed. “Alyssa, we better go, we have those dinner reservations.”

“Right,” Alyssa said. “We’ll see ya’s later.”

“Bye,” Brian and Rachel said in unison.

“So it’s just you and me,” Brian said after Kevin and Alyssa walked away. “What do you want to do?”

“Watch old movies and cuddle,” Rachel replied.

“That can be arranged.” They kissed.

“Then let’s go.” They got up and left the park.

“Howie, can we talk?” Lillie asked.

“What about?” Howard questioned looking up from his papers.

“You’ve been really distant the past few days and I was wondering why?” Howard just looked at her. “It started the day after you visited your friend and you’ve been burying yourself in your work.”

“It keeps my mind off stuff and it helps to not make an important decision right now.”

“Oh. What kind of decision?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He looked back at his papers.

“Is it about us?”

“Of course not. Can we talk about something else, please?”

“Fine. Did you ever think about us getting married?”

Howard looked at her and stayed silent. Lillie waited patiently for an answer just as the phone rang. Again, Howard was relieved he didn’t have to answer the question. After the fifth ring, Howard picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Howie, it’s me. We need to talk.” Howard knew it was Charisma without her saying.

Can it wait until tomorrow? I’m sort of busy right now.”

“No it can’t. It’s really important that I see you. We need to talk about the other day.”

“Ok. Where at?”

“The park by the secluded water thing. No one ever goes there so it’ll be private.”

“Alright; I’ll be there. Bye.” He hung up the phone and looked at Lillie.

“That friend again?” Lillie asked and he nodded. “This must be some problem.”

“You have no idea. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” They walked outside. “It’s not like you’re cheating on me or even thinking about it.”

“That’s funny.” They laughed. “I’ll see ya later, alright?”

“Yeah.” She kissed him. “Bye.”

“Bye.” Lillie got in her car and drove off. Howard stood there a moment then walked to his car thinking.

Charisma was ready to get into her car when she heard her name. She turned and saw Alexander walking towards her smiling. She smiled in return, as he approached and kissed her.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Alexander said still smiling. “Now I found you.”

“Yes you did,” Charisma said. “And why are you so happy?”

“I have a very big surprise for you so come with me to Puerto Rico.”

“Excuse me? To Puerto Rico? Now?”

“Yeah. Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I met up with an old from school and we made plans to meet in half an hour.”

“Oh; then we can go tomorrow.”

“I guess.”

“Alright. I’ll go change everything to tomorrow.” He kissed her. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”

“I hope not.” She watched Alexander walk to his car and drive away. She stood there confused then remembered Howard. She got in her own car and drove to the park.

Howard sat at the park and waited patiently for Charisma. He was looking off in the distance and wondering if it was right for him to be there and lie to his girlfriend. He was in deep thought that he didn’t hear anyone walk up behind him.

“Howie.” He turned around startled.

“Charisma.”

“Thanks for coming.”

“So what’s up?”

“I want to apologize for the other day. I shouldn’t have said what I said. It was wrong of me.”

“Actually, I’m glad you said it.”

“Why?”

“It made me really start thinking about my relationship with Lillie. And about you.”

“Why me?”

“The truth is, the moment I saw you I was immediately drawn to you. But I gave up a budding romance between the two of us when I saw how happy you were with Alex and I devoted all my time to Lil…until recently.”

“I never knew.”

“You weren’t supposed to, but now it’s getting to the point where I only think of you and a life with each other that couldn’t possibly be.”

“I feel the same way, so why can’t it?”

Howard and Charisma just looked at each other. Howard looked around then moved closer to Charisma. She just continued to look at him and moved closer herself. They looked into each others eyes and Howard said, “I should go.” Instead, Howard touched the side of her face with his hand. “You’re so beautiful.” Charisma just smiled right before he kissed her. Charisma put her arms around Howard and kissed him in return. The kiss lasted only a moment, but to them it felt like a lifetime. They stopped kissing and just looked at each other.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I kissed you first.” They continued standing in each others arms and Charisma said, “Maybe I should go.”

“Same here. Lillie is probably wondering where I’m at.”

“Same with Alex. But first…” She didn’t finish her sentence, as she kissed him again.